Heaping blame upon himself for his team’s failures this season, Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino, has admitted that he does not deserve to remain coach of the Catalan club. Commenting after another disappointing result as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Getafe on Saturday, he said “It is not the desired end, is not a good season from a personal point of view, obviously neither for Barcelona, because it isn’t what they are used to”. Lionel Messi tucked Dani Alves’ cross away to give Barca the lead, before Angel Lafita made it 1-1 at the Nou Camp. Alexis Sanchez restored their lead, but Lafita struck again in second half stoppage time.

Many think Martino is being forced to make himself a scapegoat for the club board’s failure to strengthen the team.“It has been a difficult season, with many problems off the pitch. We have tried to get over them with football and we were alive in the title race, until today. “A poor season wasn’t what we expected. There was the chance of not reaching the goals, but not due to our own mistakes. Even less after the two previous games in which we had to make comebacks. And sometimes one feels that his job wasn’t good enough and is not necessary to ask for a new chance, because he doesn’t deserve it”. The comments are especially tough on him and we salute his courage.